I came upon this story just when I had started to serve long term here at Dhamma Sobhana in Sweden. It had such a powerful impact on me as I realized the absolute truth that we are all dominated by the laws of nature.
If we know the laws of nature and follow them we will live in bliss. If we do not we will experience the hellfire within ourselves (our agitated minds) as nature punishes us for going against it. It certainly humbled me and made me feel even more happy that I am on this path of liberation. Since then I have understood – “If I live a life of virtue, purifying the mind by means of Vipassana meditation, abstaining from immoral behavior – nature will take care of me. This is all I have to do. Nature (Dhamma) will take care of the rest.”
This story is quoted from the book “For the Benefit of Many” by S.N. Goenka. It was told by Goenkaji at Dhamma Mahi in France, August of 1988, on the topic of “How to strengthen a Dhamma center”.
“Here is a little story: A bullock cart owner used to transport goods from one place to the other. This man had a small dog. When he traveled from one village to another, he trained the dog to walk under the bullock cart to avoid the sun’s heat. Wherever they traveled, the farmer sat on the bullock cart but the dog walked below in the shade of the cart.
In time the small dog came to feel that he was carrying the entire burden of the cart, and he wondered why the farmer gave so much attention to the bullocks. He thought, ‘I am carrying the burden of this cart! Wherever we travel, it is over my back. More importance should be given to me!’
Actually, nobody is carrying the cart; the Dhamma is carrying the cart. Nobody should feel, ‘I am the most important person, it is only because of me that the center functions properly. It is only because of me that the teaching is given, that Dhamma spreads.’ Come out of this madness!
Understand that you are simply a vehicle, a tool, and Dhamma is doing its job. If you had not been given this responsibility, somebody else would have taken it and the work would go on. Dhamma is bound to spread now; the clock of Vipassana has struck. You have been given the opportunity to serve in one way or another, and this should not become a cause of inflating your ego.” – S.N. Goenka
This story made me very happy. All we have to do is to train ourselves (in virtue and meditation) to walk in the shade that Dhamma (the cart pulled by nature) provides. Then we are protected from the misery (the sun) of the world. No need to think like the small dog and generate ego. Be happy and grateful nature provides for us when we live in harmony with it!
Walk in the shade – there is no need to burn yourself in the sun anymore!
May you be inspired and happy!
walkthepath
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